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What our backpackers say about us
Adrian Date: Feb 2012
We stayed early January 2012, found it via the internet and were impressed. The accommodation is basic but the atmosphere, location and the help/service from the owners is fantastic, they will go out of there way to make you feel at home and help any way they can. Would highly recommend to anyone. We will be back.
Trish Date: July 2011
Kia ora,
we were stranded for the night after road closed near the crossing on our bus and found this place to stay in and it was soo awesum not only to see the white snow around us but to enjoy the hospitality of our hosts at such short notice and they made us feel welcome all the way through our overnight stay. We got a buzz and thrill to take back home up Northland, thanks so much and I love the use of natural resource inside your buildings. Thanks so much for your awhi!!! Arohanui Trish!
The Ammus + Mc Catters families Date: April 2009
Cheers Bryan,
Thanks a lot! We enjoied ourselfes during our stay here.
This place is really cool;-)
Dolphine, Kristina & Carina Date: March 2009
Hey Bryan,
Our stay in this wonderful/great/amazing/perfect/AWESOME/orange-green/... hostel is now over.
Thanks a lot for your warm welcome!
Katy, Vic & John Date: 2009
Bryan, Thanks for an awesome night buddy - we had a blast and loved this place where fate led us. We'll be in touch and will definitely be back at some point when the snow falls.
Never grow up. (We'll buy the duck painting when we have a bit more cash)
Jane, Sam, Emma and Blair Date: 4 April 2009
Thank you very much for having us stay. Our room was warm and comfortable :-)
James Cozens Date: March 27, 2009 From Auckland
If you want a big city backpackers with all the mod cons then the Crossings is not for you. If you want a clean, value for money place with views to die for and the friendliest owners/managers you could wish for then the Crossings will live up to expectations.
My wife and I had a great two days this weekend and by the end of our stay felt part of Bryan and Miriam's extended family rather than mere "guests". Efficient transfers to and from the Tongariro crossing were laid on for us and dinner at the "captain's table" was a great way to end a successful day.
Our Unit room with a double bed and twin bunks was clean and tidy and the beds were firm - not the saggy beds that we have experienced in so many lower cost places - great when you have walked a 7 hour hike! Unit facilities included a microwave, fridge and kettle but we used the communal facilities for cooking.
Our Bathroom was clean and spacious.
Please note - best to love animals - here they have a sheep, a goat, a pig, horses, a couple of dogs and some cats!!
Don't go to the Crossings expecting furnishings up to 5 star standard (it's a backpackers after all) - but the ambiance of the place would be hard to beat-
Bryan and Miriam - we will be back for the ski season (and some paintball) if you can find us a space - many thanks for a great stay
Chris Higgins Date: October 21, 2007 From USA
I was the Australian pilot living in America with the John Wayne style crazy boys that came there three months back. The boys loved your place so much we plan to come back next year and stay a few nights. They love paintball and enjoy farm life in general.
They often speak of their experiences on your farm as a highlight of both Australia and New Zealand. Any guests that come your way will not be disappointed!!
Susanne Laager Date: August 17, 2007 From: Switzerland
I can only agree with everybody else...
It's a GREAT PLACE, the time I spent there was just AWESOME and I was really sad to leave.
I spent about a week there in January, doing some painting and landscaping. In July I returned for another week before I had to leave NZ. That was great again; working in the morning and evening, snowboarding at daytime and partying at nighttime! Hard but definetly worth it!!
The Staff in Erua is great; Bryan, Mirjam, Mike and always some helpx or other workers around. You won't be lonely, especially in winter. =)
Ben Ouellette Date: July 29, 2007 From: United States
Bryan and miriam are two very cool, gracious hosts.
aaron makes a killer casserole. the dog peed on my luggage.
and lee has a mustache.
Put these guys in lonely planet.
Jack Leonard Date: July 6, 2007 From: United Kingdom
I stayed here for 12 days and had a thoroughly enjoyable time. Bryan and Myriam are great hosts and the work is varied and often loads of fun. They really helped me see the light after living in a tube. The Tongariro Crossing is a must, and climb up Mt Doom if you can, the views are phenominal. Cheers guys!
Dana and Michel Date: June 11, 2007 From: United States
Bryan & Miriam were such lovely hosts, we wanted to stay all winter with them and Bryan's wonderful parents. Unfortunately, time was not on our side but it has been one of the nicest experiences for us so far in NZ. We helped with some renovations, nothing difficult but neither was it boring. We really felt like we had known them for a long time, after only a couple days. Meals were in a family environment and everyone helped out either cooking or cleaning after. The best times were sitting around the TV and fire together or playing with the animals outside. The go-kart was especially memorable ^__~ We had our own room and heater, which was nice. We also managed to walk the Tongariro Crossing on a beautiful day! Definetly want to go back after visiting the South Island, we highly recommend them as hosts!
Monika Dittmer Date: May 12, 2007 From: Germany
Well what can I say. Its now about 4 weeks ago since I left here after 10 wonderful and funny days. I still think back every now and then and tell myself 'One day I want to go back there'. In my eyes this is the best feeling when you look back to what youve done during your travels! Its definitely a very unique place in one of the most wonderful locations of the world (ever lived next to three volcanoes??). I loved it and I felt very welcome and think Ive met some of the most wonderful and gifted people. If youre not convinced yet, here is my last hint: If you want to meet a goat who isnt sure whether shes human or a dog, thats the place to go!! Thanks for a wonderful time!
Alexandra Wittmann Date: April 24, 2007 From: Germany
It is one of the best places you can stay for shure. Not just in the winter with the skifield as your backyard. It's wonderful there, even if there is now snow. The hosts are really friendly, you have no other choice than liking them. I've stayed the first time 5 weeks and I ended up staying there three times, if you were once there you wonna go back, thats for shure.
Maja Rahm Date: April 11, 2007 From: Switzerland
I intended to spend a week there, but I stayed and stayed and stayed...something seems to keep hold on to you at this place!? =) There's always lots to do at the lodge and I haven't laughed that much for a long time..! If you are looking for a place in wintertime that's where you should go!! (but it's worth anyway!) Thanx again Miriam and Bryan, your place is awesome.. Add Reply / Comment
Sam miller Date: January 27, 2007 From: United Kingdom
I don't know what it is about this place, but it's amazing. Had a great time here, apallingly short, but hope to return someday. Brian and Miriam are welcoming, friendly and hugely energetic in their quest and very appreciative of their visitors. Used my talents to help build an area of the gardens, went foraging for materials (say no more) and unloaded countless loads of bark. Amply rewarded with days off to do the crossing, the latest releases on dvd and copious amounts of beer - to match the hard work, excellent company and some very cool new friends. Good luck to you all.
Olivia Schwaebe Date: December 19, 2006 From: Germany
I stayed here for over a month. It was great! The hosts are really nice and we had lots of fun. The work here is really easy and relaxing. I'm sure I will come back soon! Thanks for everything! :)
PS: The weather here can be sometimes a bit strange, but I'm sure you will find some days to do the tongariro crossing or other hikes around the area.
Kelly zorn Date: December 15, 2006 From: United States
I had an absolutely wonderful time here. The owners of the hostel are really fun to work and hang out with. The other visitors that were staying there the same time as us were also a blast. We took a day to do the Tongarerro Crossing, which isnt too far from the lodge, AMAZING! I was working and staying there with my good friend Tracy, and she loved it also. We stayed for about 8 or 9 days, and neither of us would have traded the experience for the world. Good people, good food, and good times.
If you are looking for a unique place to stay, and are going through the area, i highly recommend checking out the lodge. I'm not a snowboarder or a ski-er. . . . but if you were there during the ski season, you'd probobally never leave.
Thanks A Bunch! -kelly (and tracy)
Barbara Martin Date: December 12, 2006 From: Spain
Great place, great roasts (by chef Bryan), great people. I had a really enjoyable stay, and had the privilege of witnessing the world reknown 'Kiwi potato throwing technique'. Work was mainly cleaning and some stone loading-unloading. Thanks guys.
Tim Vink Date: December 1, 2006 From: Germany
I really appreciate my stay here. The Hosts are nice, sarcastic people, open-minded and they enjoy every backpacker who wants to come, stay and work for a while.
Furthermore it is the perfect location, if you wanna do the Crossing (much better than Taupo) and there are many other hiking treks and activities around this place.
Thanks for this great time!!
Marjukka Valimaa Date: October 24, 2006 From: Finland
This place was just perfect for us to spend the skiing season 2006. I don't know is there any other place where you can combine horses and skiing! We lived 6 months ihere, so we know the owners and the animals quite well :)
Alan Farrimond Date: September 5, 2006 From: United Kingdom
Well what can we say? we planed to stay for a week and ended up staying for 3 months! Its an ideal location for the Tongariro Crossing and the ski fields are 20min away. There are horses which Miriam is happy to let you ride, no matter what level you are Miriam will help out. The animals around the lodge all have there very own personalities from Boss the dog to Sheep the Sheep!
G T Date: July 25, 2006 From: Singapore
It's been a great, albeit short stay here...wish I could have been able to stay a little longer and get to experience some snow action...but Bryan & Miriam are definitely one of the coolest hosts around! Would definitely recommend this cool (pun intended :P) place to all - to stay/work...Thanks again for having me! :)
Daniele Momi Date: May 4, 2006 From: Italy
We met some real amazing animals, a sheep that thinks it is a goat, a goat (Blossom) that thinks it is a dog and 2 dogs that think they are human :-)))
Andrew Bridges Date: April 5, 2006 From: United States
I really enjoyed my stay here and felt like part of the family. Great hosts with a warm sense of humour, lots of sweet animals, and a beautiful location. Also a variety of different chores to do. One added perk was the quick shuttle to the Tongariro Crossing, which was well worth working while waiting for a clear day.
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